Besides the latest OpenGL issue with TrackIR, Radeon’s 12.x driver has been giving me a subjective 
impression that FSX micro-stutters a little bit more than its predecessors. This is even more significant after upgrading my system with Orbx’s latest patches.
Busy work is the excuse that keeps me using this version. Since I am a bit free this weekend, I downgraded the video driver to 11.12 to verify my subjectivity a fuss or not.
Besides missions, many rewards in FSX could be collected from regular free flyings. These rewards are called
Sandbox Rewards because the world in FSX is like a sandbox in which one can explore without limitations except challenges and realism levels people set for themselves.
Followings highlight eight quick Sandbox Rewards one could easily obtain by just landing at the airports specified. These places, indeed, are fun to visit, too.
Continue reading
I’ve been using TrackIR with no problem until this morning. When it was loaded, the screen popped up with a message box as shown to the left. 
After the OK button was pressed, another error showing up saying that TrackIR had stopped working due to some system issues.
Tried uninstalling and reinstalling the driver (either new or old), as well as turning off and on the computer, several times. The error persisted.
A few people reported the same issue on NaturalPoints’ support Forum here. Mike from the company replied that the issue was caused by an OpenGL conflict between Radeon latest driver (12.4 in my case) and TrackIR driver. He said he could provide replacement files and instructions to solve the issue. Continue reading
Another minor update of the Shade Shifter program which now shows the current Preset name has just been released. It will help users to easily decide whether to keep the current one or 
to go to the Selection Screen for another Preset.
All existing users can make use of the same download link sent to you before to get the new version.
NOTE that the ONLY file you’ll need to replace is ShadeShifterV2.exe. The new one has a modified date of 15-April-2012. You will also find Shade Shifter v2.1a at the top left corner on the Preset Selection Screen.
The next major update with some sorts of randomized Shade Preset selection feature, though a bit behind schedule, is still under development. Any suggestions of new features are welcome.
Via FSWidgets iGMapHD, iPad can be turned into a moving map device as reported in Post 63 and adds a lot of fun to FSX experience. However, should some one find the iPad display too small to read or want to be felt like in a flight control tower… Well, what about putting the moving map onto a 52-inch or larger TV set?
A fan reported that my earlier Post 123 regarding Disable Unintended Auto-Pilot Wing Leveler doesn’t work on FSX’s default Airbus A321 and requested help for a fix.
The issue is caused by the activation of Fly-by-Wire (FBW) function on the aircraft and followings are two solutions:
FIX 1:
Open aircraft.cfg of A321 and modify the parameter of fly_by_wire from 1 to 0 under the [airplane_geometry] section
fly_by_wire=0
This will disable the fly-by-wire function simulated on the aircraft and allows the Auto-Pilot Wing Leveler (Ctrl-V) to work.
FIX 2:
The minor updated version of Shade Shifter has been sent to all subscribers who own version 2.0.
The new version allows the loading of current (or last used) Shade Preset directly without going to the Preset selection screen.
The next update being planned will include some sort of randomized Shade Preset selection feature.
Quite busy these days and I don’t even have time to fly. Anyway, a minor update to version 2 of Shade Shifter will be coming soon.
It will allow the loading of last chosen Preset automatically without going to the Preset selection screen. This feature was requested by Riccardo.
To all subscribers who requested a copy of Shade Shifter Version 2, it has been sent to your mailbox.
BTW, thanks to Clement Wu who helped beta testing this new version. Have fun!
FS Times 